Scraper assembly for paintbrush

ABSTRACT

A scraper assembly adapted for removable attachment to a paintbrush.

RELATED APPLICATIONS

The present invention was first described in Disclosure Document Request mailed for deposit on Sep. 20, 2006 under 35 U.S.C. §122,37 C.F.R. §1.14, and MPEP §1706. It is respectfully requested that said Disclosure Document remain a permanent part of the file history of the present application and be relied upon during the pending prosecution, and for any other matters that may arise concerning said present application and the subject matter contained therein. There are no previously filed, nor currently any co-pending applications, anywhere in the world.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates generally to the field of tools for painting and scraping and, more particularly, to a scraper adapted for removable attachment to a standard or conventional paintbrush.

2. Description of the Related Art

In order to properly prepare a surface for painting, the surface must be scraped and/or sanded to remove loose paint as well as other protuberances. However, despite all efforts to ensure a surface is completely prepared for painting, certain areas invariably require additional scraping such as those hard-to-reach areas initially overlooked. As a result, needless hours are lost by a painter when he is forced on numerous occasions during a painting project to temporarily cease painting in order to scrape loose paint.

The prior art discloses several brushes with attached scraper assemblies. Particularly, U.S. Pat. No. 5,419,000 discloses a brush having a removable scraper apparatus. However, the U.S. Pat. No. 5,419,00 device teaches a scraper plate bent into a substantially S-shaped cross-section for insertion within a recess formed within a special brush handle. The U.S. Pat. No. 5,419,000 device fails to teach a scraper assembly having a sleeve and blade adapted for removable attachment to a conventional or standard paintbrush.

Accordingly, a need has arisen for a scraper assembly adapted to be removably attached to a standard paintbrush in a manner which is quick, easy, and efficient. The development of the scraper assembly for a paintbrush fulfills this need.

A search of the prior art did not disclose any patents that read directly on the claims of the instant invention; however, the following references were considered related.

The following patents disclose various tools for painting, sweeping, and/or brushing which include a scraper or blade element:

U.S. Pat. No. 5,419,000, issued in the name of Amato et al.;

U.S. Pat. No. 4,741,064, issued in the name of Riegert et al.;

U.S. Pat. No. 5,857,234, issued in the name of Hernnandez;

U.S. Pat. No. 6,823,553 B1, issued in the name of Paredes;

U.S. Pat. No. 5,351,356, issued in the name of Townsend, Jr.;

U.S. Pat. No. 2,533,838, issued in the name of Ranft;

U.S. Pat. No. 5,894,624, issued in the name of Fulenwider,

U.S. Pat. No. 5,575,030, issued in the name of Girard;

U.S. Pat. No. 6,481,041 B1, issued in the name of Ingram;

U.S. Pat. No. 4,041,564, issued in the name of Schlicher, and

U.S. Pat. No. 3,947,913, issued in the name of Nelson.

U.S. Pat. No. 2,803,374, issued in the name of Cash discloses a paintbrush holder and scraper for attachment to the upper end of a paint can.

U.S. Pat. No. 4,144,611, issued in the name of Brown discloses a paintbrush for use by artists having a handle which includes a brush portion at one end and a pallet at an opposite end.

Consequently, a need has been felt for a scraper assembly adapted for removable attachment to a standard or conventional paintbrush in a manner which is quick, easy, and efficient.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Therefore, it is an object of the present invention to provide a scraper assembly adapted for removable attachment to a paintbrush.

It is another object of the present invention to provide a scraper assembly comprised of a blade portion molded integral to or suitably mounted to an elongated, hollow sleeve.

It is another object of the present invention to provide a blade portion and an elongated, hollow sleeve constructed of a rigid material.

It is another object of the present invention to provide an elongated, hollow sleeve dimensionally adapted to accommodate and fittingly encompass in a snug-fit manner the first end of a paintbrush.

It is another object of the present invention to provide an elongated, hollow sleeve adapted to be removably attached to the first end of an elongated handle of a paintbrush via a suitable fastening means.

It is another object of the present invention to provide a scraper assembly adapted for removable attachment to a conventional paintbrush which allows a user to perform a variety of scraping jobs quickly, easily, and efficiently.

It is still another object of the present invention to provide a liner defined of a thin, flexible or semi-flexible film lining the inner wall of an internal cavity of sleeve to facilitate enhanced conformational fit by the handle of a paintbrush with sleeve.

It is yet another object of the present invention to provide a scraper assembly which includes an ergonomically-configured handle grip.

Briefly described according to one embodiment of the present invention, a scraper assembly adapted for removable attachment to a paintbrush is disclosed. The scraper assembly comprises a blade portion molded integral to or suitably mounted to an elongated, hollow sleeve. The blade portion is formed of a rigid material such as metal or plastic. The blade portion comprises a base from which a blade body extends outwardly in a fanwise manner so as to form a flared body portion which terminates into a scraping edge.

The elongated, hollow sleeve is sizably adapted to accommodate and fittingly encompass in a snug-fit manner the first end of a paintbrush. The elongated sleeve is formed of a rigid material such as metal or plastic. The elongated sleeve comprises a front end opposing a rear end. The rear end defines an opening providing passage into an internal cavity. The base of blade portion is molded integral to or suitably mounted via a fastening means to the front end of sleeve.

In order to facilitate enhanced conformational fit by the handle of a paintbrush with the sleeve, a liner is disclosed. The liner is defined of a thin, flexible or semi-flexible film lining the inner wall of the internal cavity of sleeve.

The use of the present invention allows a conventional paintbrush to be utilized as both a painting and a scraping tool in a manner which is quick, easy, and efficient.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The advantages and features of the present invention will become better understood with reference to the following more detailed description and claims taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which like elements are identified with like symbols, and in which:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a scraper assembly shown removably attached to a paintbrush, according to the preferred embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a paintbrush having an elongated handle which includes a bulbous portion;

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a paintbrush having an elongated cylindrical handle;

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of a paintbrush having an elongated, rectangularly-shaped handle;

FIG. 5 is a right side elevational view of the sleeve;

FIG. 6 is a front end view of the sleeve;

FIG. 7 is a perspective view of the scraper assembly shown attached to a paintbrush and further illustrating the blade portion mounted to sleeve via a fastener;

FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional view of the sleeve;

FIG. 9 is a top plan view of the blade portion illustrating the receiving aperture thereof;

FIG. 10 is a top plan view of the scraper assembly;

FIG. 11 is perspective view of the scraper assembly shown attached to a paintbrush and further illustrating the blade portion welded to sleeve;

FIG. 12 is a top plan view of the scraper assembly illustrating the first longitudinally-extending diametric aperture;

FIG. 13 is a cross-sectional and partially-exploded view illustrating paintbrush handle's insertion within sleeve;

FIG. 14 is a perspective view of the male and female coupler;

FIG. 15 is a cross-sectional view of the sleeve illustrating the liner thereof; and

FIG. 16 illustrates an alternate embodiment of the present invention.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 1. Detailed Description of the Figures

Referring now to FIGS. 1, and 5-15, a scraper assembly 10 is shown, according to the present invention, adapted for removable attachment to a paintbrush 20. For purposes of this disclosure a paintbrush 20 is defined as having an elongated handle 22, wherein handle 22 includes a first end 23 opposing a second end 24. The second end 24 includes an elongated forward edge 25 from which a plurality of bristles 28 is attached and extends away therefrom. The paintbrush 20 is shown as having a bristle retaining rack 29 for securely retaining the plurality of bristles 28 at the elongated forward edge 25. The elongated handle 20 includes a top surface 21, a bottom surface 26, and a peripheral edge 27. The elongated handle 22 further includes an aperture 20 a defined therethrough near the first end 23 thereof.

FIGS. 3 and 4 illustrate various other paintbrush handle 22 embodiments. FIG. 3 illustrates a paintbrush 20 having an elongated cylindrical handle 30, and FIG. 4 Illustrates a paintbrush 20 having a linearly-elongated handle 32 defining a generally rectangular configuration. The elongated handle 20 shown in FIG. 2 defines a bulbous portion 34 tapering a limited distance in a direction toward the second end 24.

Referring now to FIGS. 1 and 5-15, the scraper assembly 10 comprises a blade portion 40 molded integral to or suitably mounted to an elongated, hollow sleeve 50. FIGS. 1, 5, 6, 12, 13, and 15 illustrate blade portion 40 molded integral to sleeve 50, and FIGS. 7, 8, 10, 11, and 16 illustrate blade portion 40 suitably mounted to sleeve 50. The blade portion 40 is formed of a rigid material such as metal or plastic. The blade portion 40 comprises a base 42 from which a blade body 43 extends outwardly in a fanwise manner so as to form a flared body portion 44 which terminates into a blade tip 46 or scraping edge.

The elongated, hollow sleeve 50 is sizably adapted to accommodate and fittingly encompass in a snug-fit manner the first end 23 of a paintbrush 20. The elongated sleeve 50 is formed of a rigid material such as metal or plastic. The elongated sleeve 50 comprises a front end 52 opposing a rear end 53. The rear end 53 defines an opening 55 which provides passage into an internal cavity 56. The base 42 of blade portion 40 is molded integral to or suitably mounted via a fastening means 60 to the front end 52 of sleeve 50. The fastening means 60 is defined as a fastener 62 which is envisioned to include but is not limited to a pan head screw 63, washer 64 and nut 65 or wing nut 66, a bolt 67, washer 64 and nut 65 or wing nut 66, or other suitable fastener 62.

Referring now more specifically to FIGS. 5-10, in an embodiment where blade portion 40 is mounted to the front end 52 of sleeve 50, the front end 52 defines a horizontal slot 58 and a longitudinally-extending diametric bore 54 extending through an upper surface 52 a of the front end 52 of sleeve 50, through horizontal slot 58, and through a lower surface 52 b of the front end 52 of sleeve 50. More specifically, the longitudinally-extending diametric bore 54 is comprised of an upper and lower diametric bore portion 54 a and 54 b, respectively.

A distal end of blade portion 40 includes a fastener receiving opening 41. The base 42 of blade portion 40 is slidably inserted within the horizontal slot 58 of sleeve 50 within which blade portion 40 resides in a snug-fit manner. The fastener receiving opening 41 of blade portion 40 is aligned with the longitudinally-extending diametric bore 54 so as to facilitate passing of fastener 62 through upper diametric bore portion 54 a, through horizontal slot 58, through fastener receiving opening 41 of blade portion 40, and through the lower diametric bore portion 54 b. Fastener 62 is removably secured with a nut 65, wing nut 66, or suitable coupling.

FIG. 11 illustrates an exemplary embodiment wherein a metal blade portion 40 is mounted to a metal sleeve 50 via a weld 69.

Referring now to FIGS. 1, 6, 12, 13, and 14, according to the preferred embodiment, in order to facilitate removable attachment of scraper assembly 10 to the first end 23 of a paintbrush 20, the sleeve 50 includes a first longitudinally-extending diametric aperture 80 and a second longitudinally-extending diametric aperture 82 defined therethrough. The first and second longitudinally-extending diametric apertures 80 and 82 are located proximal to the front end 52 of sleeve 50. The first longitudinally-extending diametric aperture 80 is aligned linearly with respect to second longitudinally-extending diametric aperture 82. The first end 23 of paintbrush 20 is inserted through opening 55 of sleeve 50 and into the internal cavity 56 thereof. The sleeve 50 is dimensionally-adapted to accommodate in a snug-fit manner the outer configuration of the first end 23 of paintbrush 20. The first longitudinally-extending diametric aperture 80 and the second longitudinally-extending diametric aperture 82 of sleeve 50 are aligned with aperture 20 a of paintbrush 20. The sleeve 50 is removably attached to first end 23 of elongated handle 22 of paintbrush 20 via a suitable fastening means 90. Fastening means 90 is envisioned to include but is not limited to a male and female coupler 92 and 93, a pan head screw 63, washer 64 and nut 65 or wing nut 66, a bolt 67, washer 64 and nut 65 or wing nut 66, or other suitable fastening means 90. The aperture 20 a of paintbrush handle 22 is aligned with the first longitudinally-extending diametric aperture 80 and the second longitudinally-extending diametric aperture 82 of sleeve 50 so as to facilitate passing of fastening means 90 such as a male coupler 92 through first diametric aperture 80, through aperture 20 a of paintbrush 20, and through second diametric aperture 82. Male coupler 92 is removably secured with female coupler 93. The fastening means 90 functions to fixedly hold scraper assembly 10 in a steadfast manner so as to secure scraper assembly 10 against movement, rotation, or the like, thereby allowing user to perform a variety of scraping jobs quickly, easily, and efficiently.

In the event paintbrush 20 is absent of an aperture 20 a, an aperture 20 a is drilled along the first end 23 of paintbrush 20 through the use of a drilling tool (not shown).

In order to further reinforce sleeve's 50 steadfast securement to the handle 22 of a paintbrush 20, user may crimp the external circumferential sidewall of sleeve 50 using a crimping tool (not shown).

In order to facilitate enhanced conformational fit by first end 23 of elongated handle 22 of paintbrush 20 within sleeve 50, a liner 100 is disclosed. The liner 100 is defined of a thin, flexible or semi-flexible film 102 lining the inner circumferential wall 57 of internal cavity 56. The film 102 is attached to the inner circumferential wall 57 of internal cavity 56 using a suitable adhesive. The film 102 is constructed of a plastic or polymeric material selected from the group which includes but is not limited to plastic, rubber, neoprene, silicone rubber, thermosensitive siliconised polyvinyl chloride, polyurethane, polyethylene, polystyrene, and polyethylene terephthalate.

Referring now to FIG. 16, an alternate embodiment of the present invention is disclosed, wherein sleeve 50 of scraper assembly 10 is provided with an ergonomically-configured handle grip 110. The handle grip 110 is adapted to ergonomically-conform to a user's hand, thereby facilitating enhanced grip and ease of use when performing a variety of scraping jobs. The handle grip 110 is molded to the external circumferential surface of sleeve 50 during the manufacturing process in a manner such that handle grip 110 envelops a majority of sleeve 50. The sleeve 50, according the to alternate embodiment, defines a length having a greater longitudinal measure with respect to sleeve 50 as described above concerning the preferred embodiment. However, like sleeve 50 according to the preferred embodiment, the sleeve 50 according to the alternate embodiment is sizably adapted to accommodate and fittingly encompass in a snug-fit manner the first end 23 of a paintbrush 20. In addition, sleeve 50 according to the alternate embodiment is removably attached to the first end 23 of the elongated handle 22 of a paintbrush 20 via a suitable fastener 90 in the manner described above concerning the preferred embodiment of the present invention.

The handle grip 110 is envisioned to be constructed of a rubber or plastic material. Handle grip 110 includes finger-gripping channels 112, wherein finger-gripping channels 112 are more specifically defined as a thumb restraint 114 a, 114 b and an index finger restraint 116 a, 116 b. Handle grip 110 further includes a bulbous portion 120 to facilitate grip within the palm area of a user's hand. The design and configuration of the handle grip 110, particularly with respect to finger-gripping channels 112, facilitates both right and left-handed use thereof.

2. Operation of the Preferred Embodiment

To use the present invention, user inserts the first end 23 of paintbrush 20 through opening 55 of sleeve 50 and into the internal cavity 56 thereof. User next aligns the first longitudinally-extending diametric aperture 80 and the second longitudinally-extending diametric aperture 82 of sleeve 50 with aperture 20 a of paintbrush 20. In the event paintbrush 20 is absent of an aperture 20 a, user may drill an aperture 20 a along the first end 23 of paintbrush 20 through the use of a drilling tool (not shown). Finally, user removably attaches the sleeve 50 to first end 23 of elongated handle 22 of paintbrush 20 using a suitable fastening means 90. The fastening means 90 functions to fixedly hold scraper assembly 10 in a steadfast manner so as to secure scraper assembly 10 against movement, rotation, or the like, thereby allowing user to perform a variety of scraping jobs quickly, easily, and efficiently.

In order to further reinforce sleeve's 50 steadfast securement to the handle 22 of a paintbrush 20, user may crimp the external circumferential sidewall of sleeve 50 using a crimping tool (not shown).

The use of the present invention allows a conventional paintbrush to be utilized as both a painting and a scraping tool in a manner which is quick, easy, and efficient.

Therefore, the foregoing description is included to illustrate the operation of the preferred embodiment and is not meant to limit the scope of the invention. As one can envision, an individual skilled in the relevant art, in conjunction with the present teachings, would be capable of incorporating many minor modifications that are anticipated within this disclosure. The foregoing descriptions of specific embodiments of the present invention have been presented for purposes of illustration and description. They are not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the invention to the precise forms disclosed, and obviously many modifications and variations are possible in light of the above teaching. The embodiments were chosen and described in order to best explain the principles of the invention and its practical application, to thereby enable others skilled in the art to best utilize the invention and various embodiments with various modifications as are suited to the particular use contemplated. It is intended that the scope of the invention be defined by the Claims appended hereto and their equivalents. Therefore, the scope of the invention is to be broadly limited only by the following Claims. 

1. A scraper assembly comprising: a blade portion, said blade portion is molded integral to or suitably mounted to an elongated, hollow sleeve, said elongated, hollow sleeve is sizably adapted to accommodate and fittingly encompass in a snug-fit manner a handle of a paintbrush, and wherein said elongated, hollow sleeve is adapted to be removably attached to the handle of the paintbrush via a suitable fastening means.
 2. The scraper assembly of claim 1, wherein said blade portion comprises a base from which a blade body extends outwardly in a fanwise manner so as to form a flared body portion which terminates into a blade tip.
 3. The scraper assembly of claim 1, wherein said elongated, hollow sleeve comprises a front end opposing a rear end, wherein said rear end defines an opening which provides passage into an internal cavity.
 4. The scraper assembly of claim 1, wherein said elongated, hollow sleeve is constructed of a rigid material.
 5. The scraper assembly of claim 1, wherein said blade portion is constructed of a rigid material.
 6. The scraper assembly of claim 1, wherein said elongated, hollow sleeve includes a first longitudinally-extending diametric aperture and a second longitudinally-extending diametric aperture defined through said elongated, hollow sleeve, wherein said first longitudinally-extending diametric aperture and said second longitudinally-extending diametric aperture are located proximal to said front end of said elongated, hollow sleeve, said first longitudinally-extending diametric aperture is aligned linearly with respect to said second longitudinally-extending diametric aperture, and wherein said sleeve is dimensionally-adapted to accommodate in a snug-fit manner an outer configuration of a first end of the paintbrush.
 7. The scraper assembly of claim 6, wherein said first longitudinally-extending diametric aperture and said second longitudinally-extending diametric aperture are adapted to be aligned with an aperture of the paintbrush.
 8. The scraper assembly of claim 6, wherein said elongated, hollow sleeve is adapted to be removably attached to the first end of the handle of the paintbrush via a suitable fastening means, said fastening means functions to fixedly hold said scraper assembly in a steadfast manner so as to secure said scraper assembly against movement or rotation, thereby allowing user to perform a variety of scraping jobs quickly, easily, and efficiently.
 9. The scraper assembly of claim 3, wherein said front end of said elongated, hollow sleeve defines a horizontal slot and a longitudinally-extending diametric bore, said longitudinally-extending diametric bore extends through an upper surface of said front end of said elongated, hollow sleeve, through said horizontal slot, and through a lower surface of said front end of said elongated, hollow sleeve.
 10. The scraper assembly of claim 2, wherein said blade portion has a distal end which includes a fastener receiving opening.
 11. The scraper assembly of claim 10, wherein said base of said blade portion is adapted to be slidably inserted within said horizontal slot of said elongated, hollow sleeve, said blade portion resides within said horizontal slot of said elongated, hollow sleeve in a snug-fit manner.
 12. The scraper assembly of claim 10, wherein said fastener receiving opening of said blade portion is adapted to be aligned with said longitudinally-extending diametric bore of said elongated, hollow sleeve so as to facilitate passing of a fastener through an upper diametric bore portion of said longitudinally-extending diametric bore, through said horizontal slot, through said fastener receiving opening, and through a lower diametric bore portion of said longitudinally-extending diametric bore.
 13. The scraper assembly of claim 12, wherein said fastener is removably secured with a nut, wing nut or suitable coupling.
 14. The scraper assembly of claim 2, wherein said blade portion is mounted to to said elongated, hollow sleeve via a weld.
 15. The scraper assembly of claim 3, wherein said elongated, hollow sleeve includes a liner, said liner is defined of a thin, flexible or semi-flexible film lining an inner circumferential wall of said internal cavity, said film is attached to said inner circumferential wall of said internal cavity using a suitable adhesive, said liner is adapted to facilitate enhanced conformational fit by the first end of the handle of the paintbrush within said elongated, hollow sleeve.
 16. The scrape assembly of claim 15, wherein said film is constructed of a plastic or polymeric material.
 17. The scraper assembly of claim 16, wherein said plastic or polymeric material includes but is not limited to plastic, rubber, neoprene, silicone rubber, thermosensitive siliconised polyvinyl chloride, polyurethane, polyethylene, polystyrene, and polyethylene terephthalate.
 18. The scraper assembly of claim 1, further comprising an ergonomically-configured handle grip.
 19. The scraper assembly of claim 18, wherein said ergonomically-configured handle grip is molded to an external circumferential surface of said elongated, hollow sleeve during manufacturing process in a manner such that said handle grip envelops a majority portion of said elongated, hollow sleeve, said handle grip is constructed of a rubber or plastic material.
 20. The scraper assembly of claim 19, wherein said handle grip includes finger-gripping channels, wherein said finger-gripping channels include a thumb restraint and an index finger restraint, said handle grip further includes a bulbous portion adapted to facilitate grip within a palm area of a user's hand. 